15 Best Scenic Train Journeys In India You Should Take Atleast Once

Finished in 1899, this charming blue and cream vintage train chugs into the Mettupalaiyam station, outside Chennai, for a journey uphill towards Ooty (officially known as Udagamandalam). You can hop on for a ride through the picturesque Nilgiris mountains. The toy train, a UNESCO World Heritage site, still runs on steam locomotives between Mettupalaiyam and Coonoor. From Coonoor to Ooty, it changes to a diesel locomotive for greater engine power. You will get to travel through paddy fields, rugged mountains, brooks, and tea estates. If you need further proof of the scenic views, you should recall watching SRK dancing on top of the same train, same route, for 'Chaiyya Chaiyya' more than a decade ago, and you’ll witness the gorgeous scenery that’s in store for you.

Train: Nilgiri Mountain Train

Distance: 46 kilometres

Duration: 5 hours

Passengers travelling on this route keep their eyes peeled for one gloriously gorgeous sight. As the train snakes its way through the Goa-Karnataka border, the sound of the gushing waterfalls reaches your ears. The train then glides across a narrow bridge, and the frothy, powerful waters of Dudhsagar flowing through deep gorges in the mountains come into full view. It might be a short-lived show, but so worth your ticket price.

Trains: Vasco-Da-Gama - Yasvantpur Express, Goa Express

Distance: 93 kilometres

Duration: 2 hours

A UNESCO World Heritage site, the Darjeeling Mountain Railway route is traversed through a quaint toy train (traveling at 11 km/hour) that takes you through mist-covered hills. As the train makes its way from New Jalpaiguri to Ghum (the highest railway station in India), the blue train, letting out puffs of steam, passes through busy local bazaars, monasteries, around manicured gardens, and beside the war memorial at Batasia Loop. At the end of your journey, when you reach Ghum, you can drop by the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) museum that showcases the heritage of this train, including the Baby Sivok – the oldest engine of the DHR. 

Train: Darjeeling Himalayan Railway

Distance: 78 kilometres

Duration: 6 hours, 50 minutes

Spanning across the shimmering, emerald waters of the Palk Strait, the Pamban Bridge is a railway line that connects mainland India to the island of Rameswaram. Opened in 1914, the collapsible bridge, which routinely opens up to allow ferries to pass, offers panoramic views of the sea. For pilgrims who travel to the holy town of Rameswaram (according to Hindu mythology, it is from here that Rama built a bridge across to Sri Lanka to save Sita), the breathtaking sights are a moment in mythology sealed forever. 

Trains: Chennai Egmore – Rameswaram Sethu Express and any train that goes to Rameshwaram 

Duration: Depends on the train

This short train journey is a true showcase of the splendour of the Western Ghats. We recommend a trip during the monsoons when the mountains come draped in lush, green foliage and the waterfalls rush down is gusto. The train also takes you through the rustic settlements of Thakurwadi, the rugged Monkey Hills, and the charming hill station of Khandala.

Train: Deccan Queen Express, Indrayani SF Express, and others

Distance: 28 kilometres

Duration: 43 minutes to 1 hour

Nothing captures the abundant natural beauty of Assam like the train journey from Guwahati to Silchar. You’ll travel through valleys, lord over thick, unspoiled forests as the train passes by on elevated bridges, choo-chooing along the River Jatinga and encounter the endless tea plantations that dot the Barak Valley. If this isn’t a slice of heaven, we don’t know what is.

Train: Rangiya — Silchar Express, Coimbatore — Silchar Express, Guwahati — Silchar Express

Distance: 380 kilometres

Duration: 11 hours, 5 minutes

An engineering marvel, the Konkan Railways’ taming of unyielding mountains and an unfriendly terrain is no easy achievement. Settle in for the ride and roller-coaster through the curves and bends of the Sahyadri Range, pass by serene waterfalls, and traverse through rivers and lakes. One of the most well-known scenic train routes, you can feast your eyes on a variety of landscapes. From charming villages to sweeping vistas of the sea, abundant forests, bright-green paddy fields, and a series of dark tunnels.

Trains: Duronto Express, Mangala Lakshadweep SF Express, Netravati Express and more

Distance: 549 kilometres

Duration: 10 hours, 50 minutes

This journey through the sub-Himalayan region is sure to send your spirits soaring. The Kangra Valley Railways gracefully makes its way through a maze of valleys and hills before dramatically changing the background to snow-clad mountains of the Dhauladhar range. Many say that these mountains are the abode of the gods and goddesses. And looking at the picture-perfect scenes around you, you’ll tend to acknowledge that the Gods sure do have an eye for stunning real estate. The Kangra network is one of two mountain railways that make their way through Himachal Pradesh. 

Trains: Pathankot – Joginder Nagar Kangra Valley Passenger

Distance: 164 kilometres

Duration: 9 hours 10 minutes

While other train journeys highlight India’s verdant abundance, the Jaisalmer-to-Jodhpur route is made magical by its journey through the golden sands of the Thar Desert. Known as the 'Desert Queen,' this train covers a warm stretch of sands, dunes, cacti, camels, and tribal settlements. Heads up, dress up according to the weather, and keep yourself hydrated, as the temperatures can be high in this terrain. 

Trains: Runicha Express, Jaisalmer Sabarmati SF Express, Ranikhet Express

Distance: 300 kilometres

Duration: 4 hours 45 minutes

Built in high-density earthquake zones, in difficult terrains, through hot summers and bitingly cold winters, the Banihal–Baramulla stretch is an engineering triumph, to say the least. As you pass through hundreds of bridges and tunnels, you’ll be treated to the sight of deep valleys and the towering Shivalik Mountain Range. And it is only going to get better. The stretch is being expanded to include the world’s highest train bridge. We also recommend a ride on the Qazigund – Baramulla stretch (in the same train) during a snow-filled winter. The graceful Chinar trees sprinkled with snowflakes and the icy mountain views will warm your heart and fill it with glee.

Trains: Banihal - Baramula DMU Express

Distance: 135 kilometers

Duration: 3 hours, 10 minutes

If you are an architecture admirer, then this history-infused train ride is for you. Discover the marvels of South Indian architecture, like gopurams and temples, alongside Keralite churches and towering palm trees, interspersed with a clear, calm lake. The train runs close to the Arabian Sea, so refresh your face with the cool sea breeze and the calming smell of the sand against the waves. You will also pass through paddy fields and banana tree farms, quite like a scene from a South Indian movie. 

Train: Madurai - Punalur Express, Anantapuri Express, and Kanyakumari - Pune Express

Distance: 66 kilometres

Duration: 2 hours

There's no better journey for an animal and nature lover than the Dooars Voyage. The highlight of the journey is that the train passes through wildlife sanctuaries and sightseeing points, like the Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary, Sevoke Railway Bridge, and various tea gardens. This train ride is the best way to explore the entire region, covering the Siliguri-Newmal-Hasimara-Alipurduar stretch, through plenty of forests, plains, and a stunning Himalayan backdrop. 

Train: Kanchan Kanya Express

Distance: 700 kilometres

Duration: 22 hours

The train journey from Bhubaneshwar to Brahmapur is super beautiful, especially when it winds down between Balugaon and Rambha, where the train runs alongside Chilika Lake. The Chilika Lake is the largest coastal lagoon in India and the second largest brackish water lagoon in the world. You can watch the still water body reflect sunlight and listen to its peaceful babble, surrounded by greenery. 

Train: Bhubaneswar - Brahmapur MEMU, Bhubaneswar - Brahmapur Passenger 

Distance: 165 kilometres

Duration: 1 hour, 47 minutes

This particular train journey treats you with the scenic view of Kurukkalmadam, Tamil Nadu. The only train that takes you through this view is the Vande Bharat Express from Chennai Egmore to Nagercoil. Look out the window and you will see paddy fields and towering hills in the backdrop. The journey takes you via Madurai, passing the Vaigai River and entering Madurai Junction, with the Meenakshi Amman Temple's tower visible in the background. 

Train: Vande Bharat Express from Chennai Egmore to Nagercoil

Distance: 706 kilometres

Duration: 12 hours

The Kalka to Shimla route via train is awe-inspiring. The bogies of the toy train roll through enchanting pine forests and looming mountains. The Barog to Shimla stretch of this journey is particularly captivating, and much of the journey is dotted by tunnels, over 800 bridges, and over 900 curves and bends. During winters, the entire stretch turns into a winter wonderland with snow dripping off the pine leaves and the sun glistening off the snowy caps. A ride on this narrow-gauge railway line, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, through the Himalayas, is definitely recommended. The slow drop as it ascends the slope through stations of Dharampur, Solan, Kandaghat, Tara Devi, Barog, Salogra, Totu, and Summerhill to reach the summer capital is what makes it extremely special. 

Train: Kalka - Shimla Rail Motor, Him Darshan Express, Kalka - Shimla Express, Kalka - Shimla Special

Distance: 97 kilometres

Duration: 4 hours, 50 minutes

This guide will help you buckle up your seat belts for the top scenic flight routes. Confused about your next destination or transport? This page will help you with everything travel.